Football 1969 Archive

Having taken the MIAC title for the past two years, the Gusties dropped to fourth place in 1969. They racked up a 4-2-1 record however, only losing to Concordia and Hamline colleges.

The Gusties suffered a loss in the first game of the season against the Western Illinois Leathernecks when Bob Kreb, their first string quarterbck, sustained a leg injury. Coach Jocko Nelson called on freshman Rick Webb to pull the game out of the fire in the fourth quarter 23-20. In the first conference game the Gusties overpowered Augsburg 33-12 with Buster West scoring three TDs and intercepting a pass. Reinholz set up another touchdown with his interception. In the next game against St. Johns the Gusties dominated the game but failed to score more than one time. The TD came on a fourth down, third quarter run by Buster West. The Pipers of Hamline handled the Gusties 30-13 in the next contest. The team didnt get going until Webb and Gehrke scored in the last period, closing the margin. The Gusties were back on their feet the next week in a high scroing contest with St. Thomas. TDs by Robb, Dahlberg, Webb, and two by Hansen gave GAC a 35-29 edge. Gustavus beat UMD 20-14 the next week. Tight end Scott Hansen again scored two TDs and Dahlberg one, giving GAC the victory over Duluth. The Gusties made a valiant effort to take the unbeaten Concordia team. They dominated the first half going into the locker room with a 20-14 edge but the Cobbers came from behind and handed GAC a 28-26 disappointing defeat. In Gustavus Homecoming Game the Gusties took Macalester 12-7 with TDs from West and Dahlberg and a good defensive game to end the season.

Gustavus had five players on the All-Conference Team: Doug Childs, Mike Polkowske, Greg Johnson, Buster West, and Rich Reinholz. Greg Johnson received an honorable mention in the Little All-America ratings.